Summer  Term  2012  

Race for Life

Fundraising Success A  grand   total  of   £1215.31  has  been   raised   this   term   courtesy   of   the   Student  Voice  team’s  efforts  to  bring  the  whole  student  body  together  on  a  fundraising  campaign  for  Cancer  Research  UK.    

Year  7  and  8  Form  Reps  planned  an  online  ‘Just  Giving’  fundraising  page,  a  tuck  shop   for   students,     a   ‘Coppers   for   Cancer’   competition   (in   which   forms  competed   to  collect   the  highest  number  of   coins,   regardless  of  worth)  and  a  ‘Race  at  your  place:  Race  for  life’  event  for  Year  8  students.  

An  added  incentive  for  students  to  take  part  in  all  the  fundraising  activities  was  Miss  King’s  pledge  to  run  the  race  in  an  array  of  fancy  dress,  depending  on  the  amount  of  money  raised.  

The   ‘Coppers   for   Cancer’   competition   generated   a   healthy   competition  between  forms  in  the  school  with  overall  winners,  9RW,  collecting  5287  coins!  The   reward   for   9RW,   and  our  highest   fundraisers   pictured  below,   is  a   trip   to  see  the  brand  new  ‘Spiderman’  movie.    

We  are   extremely   proud  of   the  work   done  by   staff   and   students   in   order   to  raise  this  amount  of  money  for  Cancer  Research  UK  and  the  ‘Race  for  Life’  was  evidence  of  the  generous  and  charitable  nature  of  all  of  our  students.  It  was  a  fantastic  afternoon  which  will  hopefully  be  repeated  next  year.    

 End  of  term  information  

 This  term  ends  on    Friday,  July  20    

at  1.00    

This  will  be  a    non-­‐uniform  day    

 Cost  £1    

 Next  term  begins  on  

Thursday,  September  6      

at  8.50  for  Year  7    

at  10.00  for  Years  8-­‐11  

I  

N  

 

T  

H  

I  

S  

 

I  

S  

S  

U  

E  

 

 

Ferrari  Challenge  

Tesco  Bakery  Visit  

Wrens  Nest  WOW!  

Pictured  are  Y8  top  fundraisers:  Jason,  Josh,  Gemma  and  Courtney                                          (Courtney  alone  managed  to  raise  £100  in  sponsorship  money)  

2

Summer  Term,  2012  

Following  its  success  last  year,  Languages  week  will  be  taking  place  again  at  Castle  starting  on  

September  26.  For  a  week  we  will  devote  each  day  to  a  particular  culture  or  language  including  German,  Spanish,  French,  Urdu,  Punjabi  and  this  year  our  new  language  is  Chinese!    

Tuesday  September  27  is  European  Languages  Day  but  at  Castle  we  wanted  our  celebrations  to  

last  for  more  than  24  hours.  Last  year  students  were  offered  cuisine  typical  of  a  particular  country  on  each  day  such  as  Spanish  Paella,  German  sausage,  a  mix  of  Indian  treats  and,  for  those  who  dared  sampled  them,  the  delights  of  French  frogs’  legs.    

All  staff  and  students  greeted  each  other  in  the  language  for  that  particular  day  and  Miss  Fones  

wore  traditional  clothing  each  day.  Activities  in  September  will  include  a  fancy  dress  competition  between  forms,  assembly  performances  including  our  superb  team  of  bhangra  dancers,  films  and  an  art  competition.      

What  a  year!  As  well  as  the  usual  hard  work  and  great  achievements  we  have  also  had  to  contend  with  a  full  Ofsted  inspection.    It  is  a  tribute  to  our  students  and  staff  that  so  many  events  have  taken  place;  I  can’t  believe  we  have  managed  to  fit  them  all  in,  not  to  

mention  how  brilliant  they  all  were.  

At  the  end  of  this  year  we  are  unfortunately  saying  goodbye  to  some  staff.  They  have  all  given  many  years  of  great  support  to  our  young  people  and  I  am  sure  you  will  join  us  in  wishing  them  all  the  very  best  in  the  future.    

Students  have  continued  to  work  hard  to  improve  things  here  at  school.  Over  the  summer  holidays  the  Dining  Hall  refurbishment,  planned  in  association  with  the  Student  Council,  will  be  completed  and  CCTV  cameras  will  be  deployed  around  the  building.        

Last  year  we  were  proud  to  receive  the  best  exam  results  the  school  had  ever  seen  and  we  hope  to  be  quoting  the  best  ever  again  this  year.    

Please  have  a  safe  and  restful  summer  holidays,  making  sure  you  are  ready  for  September  for  another  fun-­‐packed  year  full  of  hard  work!  

The  Copthorne  Hotel  in  Merry  Hill  was  the  venue  for  this  year’s  

Leavers’  Prom.  

School  uniform  

Please  remember  that  the  only  footwear  allowed  in  school  is  plain,  black  leather  shoes.    

Trainers,  Vans,  Converse,  canvas  pumps  and  other  informal  shoes  are  not  permitted.    

Full  details  of  our  uniform  regulations  –  including  details  about  hair  colouring  and  facial  piercings  –  can  be  found  at  www.castle.dudley.sch.uk  

The  Media  Studies  Eye  Team  

Castle Matters – Y10 Media Studies Project

EYE ON FOCUS DAY  Issue 1 : July 2012

The  Eye  On  Focus  Day  team  of  GCSE  Media  Studies  students  Tiffany  Purcell,  Laurie  Batchelor,  Sophie  Jackson,  Hannah  Willis,  Heerah  Shahid,  Emma  Knowles  and  Frank  Beardsmore  were  joined  by  ex-­‐Castle  student  and  journalist  Melissa  Reynolds  Lawrence  to  gain  some  insight  and  hopefully  pick  up  some  journalistic  skills.      Melissa,  who  now  works  as    a  copywriter  for  T.  H.  Baker,  spent  the  morning  with  the  team  as  we  frantically  and  skillfully  covered  all  year  groups  and  activities  that  took  place  on  our  Focus  Day  in  late  June.      The  result  is  this,  our  debut  issue  of  Eye  On  Focus  Day.  You  give  us  4  pages  and  we’ll  give  you  our  school!    

Meet the team Read  about  Year  9’s  work  on  teenagers’  attitudes  to  alcohol.  

Year  9   4

Year  10  have  £1,000,000  to  spend  designing  a  brand  new  supermarket  

Spend  a  penny   4

 

Eye on Focus Day July 2012

2  

What  should  have  been  a  fabulous  day  became  a  roller-­‐coaster  of  “will  they?”,  “won’t  they?”  for  poor  Year  7!    Zoo-­‐Day  had  started  with  bright  sunshine  and  happy  faces  but  by  9.15  the  sky  had  filled  with  thick,  dark  clouds.  Things  did  not  look  good.  It  seemed  that  Mrs  Rose  and  Miss  Buttery  had  sorted  out  everything  but  the  weather!    Sure  enough,  by  9.30  the  heavens  had  opened  and  a  storm  that  would  have  made  Noah  nervous  came  down  for  almost  an  hour.  (Reports  that  animals  in  the  zoo  had  begun  to  pair  off  and  form  orderly  queues  cannot  be  confirmed.)    Zoo-­‐Day  had  been  cancelled!  Year  7  were  staying  at  school  and  they  were  not  happy.  Now  they  know  how  the  orang-­‐utans  feel!    By  10.40  Year  7  had  settled  into  their  new  habitat  and  were  getting  ready  for  an  alternative  timetable,  but  the  sun  began  to  peep  through  the  clouds  once  more.  A  buzz  came  over  staff  radios  and  the  Year  7s  were  herded  off  to  see  the  animals.  Zoo-­‐Day  was  go!!      

YEAR 8 PEER

PRESSURE 121  Year  8’s,  two  people,  one  message.  The   Resistance   left   all   students   in   awe  in   the   Assembly   Hall   as   they   showed  their   unique   take   on   the   subject   of  smoking   and   peer   pressure.   Sergeant  Scott  Marshall  took  the  serious  issue  of  smoking   to   a   new   level,   naming   the  students   ‘replacement   smokers’   whilst  using   the   ’secretive’   theme   including  secret   agents   and   missions.   MI5   eat  your  heart  out!    Not  a  snore  was  heard  as  the  numerous  videos   of   each   undercover   agent   was  presented   to   the   students,   discussing  the  effects  of  smoking  has  on  everyone  and   anyone.   The   striking  way   they   got  the   message   across   intrigued   Year   8,  bombarding   them   with   facts   and  questioning  their  views  on  smoking.    

Sergeant   Scott   Marshall   and   his  assistant   dramatically   exited   the   stage  with   these   final   words:   “Join   The  Resistance  on  Facebook,   save   the   lives  of  the  people  you  know”.  The  students  gave   a   huge   round   of   applause   and  went   to   their   forms   in   deep   thought  and   eager   to   talk   about   the  presentation.      In  8KS,  Sarah  Holt  and  Kyle  Astley  both  agreed   that   “the   speakers   explained  more  about   the   topic   in   an   interesting  and   creative   way”   whilst   April   Parker,  8JC,   on   the   other   hand   found   the  experience  “funny  and  exciting”.   Off  to  the  zoo!  

Biblical  weather!  

 

Eye on Focus Day July 2012

3  

The Pink Hour Miss  King  –new  school  uniform?  

1

Year  8  took  part   in  a  sponsored  Race  for  Life.  Devoting  their  afternoon  to  run  around   in  circles  and  raise  money  for  Cancer  Research.  Motivated  by  the  names  of  loved  ones  written  on  their  backs  they  pushed  on  to  complete  at   least  4   laps.  Each  step  of  their  way  was  accompanied  by  our  head  teacher,  Ms.  King.  Her  dress  code  for  the  day  was  somewhat  strange  and  confusing  but  who  can  blame  her  for  trying  something  new!  

   

2

Everyone   in   the   school  donated  money  in  order  for   Ms.   King   to   wear  this  hilarious  outfit.  The  more  money  we   raised,  the   more   crazy   clothes  she   would   wear!     Ms.  King   commented  “I   feel  absolutely   ridiculous  and   have   at   least   10  layers   on,   all   I’m   saying  is  that  its  extremely  hot  in  here”.  

Year  8  raised  over  £1200  doing  their  Race  for  Life.  

 

Eye on Focus Day July 2012

4  

Sure  enough,  the  mention  of  Year  9’s  Focus  Day  was  bound  to  be  a  promising  and  colourful  day  filled  with  art  activities  exploring  the  important  issue  of      teenage  drinking.  Despite  the  dull  weather  outside,  Year  9’s  classrooms  were  overflowing  with  creative  chaos.  Once  they  were    occupied  by  their  various  engaging  activities,  the  ever-­‐darkening  sky  was  not  an  important  aspect  of  their  day!  

Firstly,  Miss  Winwood’s  form    began  their  fun-­‐filled  morning  by                    exploring  the  internet  to  find  out  about  the  reality  of  alcohol  and  celebrities.  This  research  would  later  be  made  into  a  productive  puppet.    Student,  Chloe  Smith  told  us  “This  activity  lets  us  be  more    creative  rather  than  just  watching  a  PowerPoint  presentation!”  

Additionally,  Mr  Wilkes’s  class  were  Zine  making.  They  reflected  upon  themselves  positively,  before  talking  about  the  crucial    consequences  of  alcohol.          

Likewise,  Mr  Wood  and  his  form  also  investigated  the  concept  of  teenage  drinking  but  through  the  use  of  idols  and  celebrities.  The    students  also  designed  persuading  posters  against  these  problems  with  a    powerful  message  behind  them.  Additionally  Mr  Wood  told  us  “These  activities  provide  an  artistic  twist  on  a  more  solemn  topic.  Each  individual  can  relate  to  this  issue  because  it  has  a  unique  effect  on  each  of  their  lives”.  

After  a  short  break,  Mr  Day’s  class  started  drawing  around  each  other,  equipped  with  their  felt  pens.  They  produced  a  diagram  of  the  human  body  before  becoming  a  set  of  marvellous  masterpieces  and  demonstrating  the  effects  of  alcohol  upon  it.  Mr  Day  summed  the  day  up  perfectly  :  “It  is  a  creative  approach  and  provides  a  hands-­‐on  experience”.  

Year  10    were  in  “deep  discussion    mode”  as  we  trawled  the  school  for  a  

scoop.  Each  form  enjoyed  

spending  time  with  its  classmates.  

Let’s  see  what  they  had  to  say  …  

Year  10  Activities  

Focus on Teenage Drinking

“I  enjoy  spending  the  day  with  friends.”      Sian  Bennett  (10AJO)  explains  what  exciting  activities  they  are  participating  in:    “We  are  creating  our  ideal  supermarket  that  will  attract  the  local  community.”      Ilham  (10AAP)  says:  “We  will  enjoy  spending  £1  million  to  create  a  new    supermarket.”      Year  10  seemed  to  really  enjoy  making  their  own  supermarkets  and  learned  that  every  penny  counts…  even  though  some  people  would  enjoy  spending  £1  million.  

3

Summer  Term,  2012  

A R T N E W S Goodbye  Year  11  

The  Art  Department  would  like  to  congratulate  our  talented  Year  11  BTEC  Art  &  Design  students.    

119  Students  have  been  entered  for  Level  2  BTEC  Extended  Certificate  with  some  advancing  onto  the  Level  2  Diploma.    

Our  students  have  worked  hard  over  the  last  2  years,  with  many  of  them  producing  some  outstanding  outcomes  for  their  final  year  projects.    

We  wish  them  all  the  best  in  their  chosen  paths  and  we  look  forward  to  celebrating  their  results  in  August.  

Christine  Blount  (left)  in  her  Retro  Dress                          

Damon  Woodall  (above)  “Me,  Myself  &  I”  

Wren’s  Nest  WOW  day  

Wrens  Nest  Y5  students  joined  the  Art  Department  in  June  as  part  of  their  WOW  day  at  Castle.  

They  all  spent  some  time  exploring  Mythical  Creatures,  using  their  creativity  to  decorate  and  construct  an  articulated  figure.    

They  produced  an  array  of  mermaids,  gnomes  and  fairies  decorated  with  the  technique  of  collage,  using  images  of  natural  forms  related  to  their  Mythical  Creature.      

Students  did  a  fantastic  job  and  went  away  with  their  Mythical  Creatures  which  they  could  use  further  within  school  to  storyboard,  using  their  own  Mythical  Tales.    

Olympic  Art  

Miss  Winwood’s  Year  8  Art  group  has  produced  artwork  to  celebrate  the  London  2012  Olympics.    

A  collection  of  their  work  will  be  exhibited  during  the  Netherton  Victorian-­‐Olympic  Day  at  Netherton  Arts  Centre  on  Saturday  8th  September  2012,  organised  by  Dudley  Performing  Arts.    

Please  feel  free  to  attend  and  look  out  for  our  fantastic  artwork.  A  huge  well  done  to  all  the  students  involved.  

Work  by  Becky  Willis  (above),  Meryam  Begum  (top  r),  Aroojh  Munir  (bottom  r)  

Summer  Term,  2012  

1

A  team  of  students  from  Castle  High  School  attended  the  regional  finals  of  the  Toyota  Technology  Challenge,  where  they  had  a  chance  to  win  up  to  £1,000  in  cash  for  their  school  and  an  action-­‐packed  adventure  holiday  in  France.  

The  team,  5  Elements,  made  up  of  Jak  Price,  Liam  McCreight,  Niru  Surendran,  Sabeale  Aziz    and  Jordan  Wills,  competed  in  the  solar  power  category  at  the  Midlands  regional  final  held  at  the  Toyota  Manufacturing  UK’s  Burnaston  Plant,  Derbyshire  earlier  this  term.    5  Elements  came  fifth  in  the  Midlands  Regional  Final.    They  were  assessed  on  their  finished  vehicle,  an  oral  presentation  to  the  Judges  and  other  teams,  vehicle  race,  use  of  recycled  materials  and  team  identity.  

2

Targeted  at  Key  Stage  3  &  4  students  aged  11-­‐16  years  old,  teams  of  pupils  are  challenged  to  design  and  build  an  environmentally  friendly  model  vehicle  using  either  solar  power,  to  race  on  a  straight  track,  or  PIC  microcontroller  technology  to  guide  their  vehicles  to  avoid  obstacles  on  a  track.      

1

In   order   to   make   researching   instore   bakery   products   more   fun,  year  10  Food  Technology  students  visited  the  instore  bakery  at  the  recently  opened  Tesco  Superstore  in  Dudley.  

Two  classes  went  and  were  welcomed  by  the  team  working  behind  the   scenes   at   the  bakery.   Students   had   an  opportunity   to   help   fill  the  ovens,  jam  the  doughnuts,  see  the  mechanical  bread  production    and  of  course  taste  a  variety  of  the  bakery’s  wares.  

This   visit   was   an   excellent  way   for   the   students   to   gain   first   hand  experience  on  the  Food  Industry  and  Tesco  has  been  kind  enough  to  agree  to  trial  some  of  the  products  made  by  our  students  in  school.  

2

So   you   all   need   to  keep   an   eye   out  for  baked  products  developed   by   the  Food   Technology  students   here   at  Castle   High   -­‐   at   a  store  near  you!  

Mobile  ‘phones  

Please  remember  that  students  are  NOT  permitted  to  have  mobile  ‘phones,  headphones  and  other  electronic  equipment  in  school.  

If  seen  by  staff,  such  equipment  will  be  confiscated.  

Castle  High’s  DT  department  visited  the  Silverstone  British  Grand  Prix  on  Saturday  July  12.      Twelve  students  enjoyed  the  experience  of  attending  the  F1  practice  and  qualifying  session.  Hopefully,  this  trip  will  inspire  the  young  people  to  develop  an  informed  view  about  careers  in  this  area.  

Congratulations  to  Sarah  Holt  and  Becky  Willis  who  won  a  Gold  Award  at  the  UK  Maths  Challenge  recently.  Other  awards  went  to  Junaid  Khalid  (Silver)  and  to  Megan  Whitehouse,  Gemma  Gengadoo  and  Jake  Fellows  (Bronze).